In a letter to The Pasadena Journal, Harlan Redmond bewailed the lack of opportunity for Black youths in Pasadena ("Fighting For Freedom in our community," June 18, 2009).
"We need to stand up against violence with love, opportunity and respect," he wrote. "There are more guns or gangs on our streets than opportunity and something must be done." Unfortunately, Harlan Redmond glossed over the issue of tensions between Blacks and Latinos, fueled in part by illegal immigration.
According to the California Coalition For Immigration Reform, 25 percent of all inmates in jails and prisons are illegal aliens. But that's only part of the problem.
While Harlan Redmond was writting his letter, President Barack Obama was meeting behind closed doors with California lawmakers Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angles) and Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) to discuss "Comprehensive immigration reform" (read: amnesty) for an estimated 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants.
Never mind that the Congressional Black Caucus (including ex- Black Panther Bobby Rush) refuses to address the issue of illegal immigration.
Never mind that California taxpayers spend $10 billion a year (or $ 13 billion a year if you believe the latest report by the Federation For American Immigration Reform) on education, housing and medical care for illegal immigrants.
Never mind that an estimated 8.3 million undocumented immigrants hold jobs that rightfully belong to unemployed U.S. citizens.
Remember when Harden Carter took his 16-year-old son job-hunting in Pasadena, only to discover that there were a few jobs for Black teenagers (Pasadena Weekly; July 1, 2004) If President Obama signs an amnesty bill, will there be any opportunities left for Black youths?
And you thought that Barack Obama represented change?
Les Hammer
Pasadena